You go, paradox! If I lived in CA, I'd be your water girl. Good luck!

I'm confused.

Do we want the judges to have more authority or less?

[scratches head]

You actually trust the politicians to be fair? Come on! Who ever has the majority power will divide the districts to the benefit of whatever party is in power. Is this fair to the voters?

But aren't the legislators the representatives of the people? Are not their intentions pure to the will of the people? Why should we have to worry about their intentions? They should be trusted to make all kinds of decisions about what's best for the people. It's those meddling activist judges that we need to be concerned about. Legislators work purely in the interest of the people.

Did I say I trusted the politicians? Heya? No. I said it was tantalizing 'cause the politicians have messed it up, badly, and as much as I want their abused power stripped I still trust no judge, not in the least, after Bush vs. Gore. The judiciary has already proven itself untrustworthy, to put it politely.

The &$%*(^$% California Democrats had a solid majority and played it safe, god damn it, and gerrymandered a pickup of one seat. Jesus what ravenous partisans our Sacramento attack dog Democrats are, eh?

I want them all at 50-50 with a margin of error of no more than 2 points only in the markup. I'll rant again about what they did to Pleasanton, I don't care, I loathe that son of bitch Pombo and his vast anus of repressive power hovering foully over Pleasanton. I grew up in that valley and love two women who grew up in that town, this is just too god damn wrong, man.

We don't need our Democrats to fight on this one, we need them to be real Americans, read the Founders again, and draw them all up cleanly, no funky borders, at 50-50.

Steely Dan? You my bro', Paradox.

Oh yeah, the rest of what you said is cool, too.

Besides being fine music there's a soothing, calming background element to their sound that fits.

Blue Oyster Cult doe not work when tabling. Low Steely Dan does. And baseball. Tabling and baseball is great, great stuff, trust me.

How's the petition for a recall election going?

LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!!! Please tell me what planet you're from.

I see my sarcasm went right over your head.

It just kills me because all you hear from the right these days is how judges want to legislate but legislating is the realm of the legislators. It's the judges who are the problem. But in California it's the legislature that's the problem too! So what is Californias solution? Let the people decide directly by plebiscite on every issue. Christ! What a fuck up.

The reason Ahhnold wants a special election is that you can't DIEBOLD a legislative vote, which is a matter of public record.

However a general election...

Why aren't Democrats using this opportunity for a write-in recall of the Governator?

Why aren't Democrats using this opportunity for a write-in recall of the Governator?

This is all a direct result of the fact that the Republicans made the leap to working outside the flow of regular annual elections and respecting the fact that an office holder has to be dealt with until his/her term is up. They had to go to the recall. It ties into the whole Clinton impeachment. There is no more respect for the established process of governing. And now the people are infected with the disease too. It's no holds barred now. Hence the threat of the nuclear option in the U.S. Senate. Responsible governance in this country is dead. There was a reason the founders created a representative system with checks and balances. Most people are too stupid to govern themselves. It worked for 200 years and now that system is broken. I don't see it getting fixed anytime soon.

Sad day for voters in CA.

But at least you don't have to vote for your local representatives. The results have already been predetermined. You don't like the current composition of the state government? Who cares about what you like?

Welcome to George Orwell's Animal Farm.

I blame those who filed. I knew the incumbants would be fighting tooth and nail to preserve their safe seats. It was just sloppiness.

No republicans will lose their seats in CA.
No democrats will lose their seats in CA.

I guess the only thing we have to vote on is bonds and propositions.

Hooo ah!

Maybe we should have a blogger conference on ethics and morality to solve this conundrum!

Look at it this way, which group has the greatest bit of accountability, unelected retired judges who refuse or cannot make clear their stand on issues, or elected officials, however gerrymandered their districts might seem to be?

Look, Loretta Sanchez beat B-1 bob dornan. If that doesn't show the possibilities I don't know what does.

Good question, Bullfighter. I think it's a matter of timing, cost, and PR. Don't be surprised if it happens though, by hook or CROOK.

BOC! Buck Dharma! The man can play that guitar. I've seen them in concert a couple of times. Once long ago in the smokey haze of time (cough, cough), more recently at a small club. When they're motivated, they're a live band that can't be beat.

Don't worry, Duck. If you love the composition of the legislature today and don't want one single change in any seat, you're a happy camper.